The ANU Southeast Asian Institute (SEAI)’s focus for 2026 is SEAI in and with Southeast Asia, reflecting our commitment to meaningful engagement with and immersion in the region. SEAI is pleased to announce its 2026 offering of research grants, supporting travel to Southeast Asia by ANU students enrolled in a degree program with a research component. The SEAI Travel Grants support student projects aligned with the Institute’s emphasis on:
- Developing explicitly regional approaches to Southeast Asia, including comparative studies of more than one SEA country. (Where the project has a single-country focus, priority will be given to projects that study Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam.)
- Southeast Asian security, broadly defined. This includes geopolitics and military security, but also the nexi between economics and security, development and security, environment and security, domestic politics and regional security, and 'non- traditional' security issues such as climate change, technological challenges, etc.
Key Dates
- Applications open: 16 March 2026
- Applications close: 7 April 2026, 5.30pm AEST
- Outcomes released by 15 April 2026
Award
The grant provides a one-time payment of up to AUD 3,000 with meeting the costs for activities including:
- Research-related travel expenses
- Conference/workshop/seminar presentation and participation
- Other activities or travel that are essential to research, develop research collaborations, or assist with skill development
Applications and Eligibility
Eligibility
The SEAI Travel Grants are open to any Honours/Masters (with research component)/PhD student at the ANU.
The applicant must be currently enrolled in an ANU program of study with a research component, and must remain enrolled for the duration of the grant if awarded.
The successful applicant’s travel or activity must conclude by 31 December 2026, with all conditions of the award fulfilled by then.
All applicants are requested to join the Institute as a member. Joining the Institute is very easy and can be done directly on our website.
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated research achievements and track record of academic excellence.
- A research project that strongly aligns with and adds value to the ANU Southeast Asian Institute’s stated objectives and foci.
- Proposed travel and activities that engage meaningfully with the proposed counterparts, communities, or partners in the region.
- Evidence of the significance of the proposed research travel or activity to the applicant’s thesis or research project.
- Proof of institutional support and approval (thesis supervisor support letter, ethics and FIAC clearance if applicable).
- Justified and clearly developed budget.
Conditions of Award
- Within two months of the travel or activity end date (or by 31 December 2026, whichever occurs first), the successful applicant must submit:
- A short report (2-page maximum, photos welcome) from their travel or activity that will be published on the SEAI website as news about research activities;
- Provide an itemised financial acquittal based on the budget provided by the applicant in the initial application. Any unspent funds will need to be returned to the Institute;
- Brief written feedback to assist the Institute in evaluating the grant scheme;
- Become a member of the ANU Southeast Asia Institute.
How to Apply
The Application has five parts (A – E).
Part A. Activity or Project Description
(No more than two A4 pages with at least 2 cm margins all round. Use a highly legible font type such as Arial, Palatino or Times New Roman of 12-point size)
The activity or project description must provide the following information using the headings below and in this order:
- Title and brief abstract of the thesis or project (max 250 words).
- Outline of the proposed activity for which funding is sought, including an itinerary.
- The significance of the proposed activity to the applicant’s research and program of study.
- The benefit of the proposed activity to the Southeast Asia Institute in relation to its stated initiatives and activities.
Part B. Proposed Budget
Provide details of the proposed budget (itemising budget items), accompanied by a brief explanation or justification of expenditure. Costings must be in AUD, clearly indicating the source of currency conversion rates used.
Part C. Institutional Endorsement or Support
The applicant must obtain and include in their application a letter of support from the relevant thesis/project supervisor. Applications lacking endorsement will not be considered.
Evidence of other relevant institutional approvals (e.g. ethics, travel or security clearance for fieldwork) must be included.
Part D. Curriculum Vitae
Provide a 2-page CV with details of the educational qualifications, certifications, research experience, relevant publications, and professional affiliations.
Part E. Supporting Documentation
For a conference: confirmation of acceptance of paper or poster AND confirmation of registration for the conference.
For a cross-institutional visit: an invitation letter or email and details of supervisory arrangement.
For fieldwork expenses: evidence of planned activities and institutional travel approval.
Assessment Process
Funding is assessed independently by a committee, with judgements made relative to other applications received.